Influencer. Content creator. Vlogger. Podcaster. Blogger.
All these titles come with some kind of negative weight now, but “influencer” is the one that gets me the most. And the sad thing is, most of these people are probably great. It is just the handful who take things too far or get a little too comfortable being dishonest about what they are influencing that ruins it for everyone else.

Influencer culture used to feel different. In the beginning, you would watch someone and think, yes, I could see myself owning that. It felt like the popular kid in school. Think Teen Witch when she wished to be the most popular girl and suddenly everyone copied her look. Or Mean Girls when Cady wore something and the whole school followed. We have always been influenced by someone. Jennifer Aniston and the Rachel haircut. NSYNC and the frosted tips. Shoulder pads. Yes, I remember them. We all do.

But even then, we still had our own identities. Trends moved slower. You could keep up without feeling like you were losing yourself in the process.

Now it feels like to stay in the loop you need accounts on a hundred different apps. There is an influencer, content creator, vlogger, or blogger for every possible niche. There are even people whose entire thing is too de-influence. It is noise on top of noise.

So how do you find the truth in all of that?
How do you find the real review, the honest suggestion, the “this is just my opinion, and you can agree or not” kind of content.

You look past the flash.
Like Billy Flynn sings in Chicago, it is all razzle dazzle. You have to look past the show and find the quieter corners of the internet. The ones that are not trying to blind you with ring lights and jump cuts.

My favorite reviews are the ones where you can tell the reaction is real. I love when someone takes you along to buy something they have saved up for and are genuinely excited about. What I do not love are the massive luxury hauls that feel more like tax write offs than real life. But if that is what you enjoy watching, enjoy it. Truly. Just do not be fooled into thinking that is everyday life. Most of the time, it is not.

And before anyone thinks I am lumping everyone together, I am not. You are reading my blog right now. I do not think every content creator, vlogger, podcaster, or blogger is like this. Influencers… well, the word itself is the issue. You are influencing people to buy what you buy and do what you do. That is the job.

Most creators are actually trying to share something useful within their niche or their expertise. I follow plenty of them when I need information.

So why this long monologue?
Because I want you to know where I stand when I talk about a product, an experience, a trip, anything at all. When I share an opinion, that is exactly what it is. An opinion. What you do with it is entirely up to you.

And since we are here, let me make one thing clear.
I will never be on trend. I have never been. Jeans and classic tops are my comfort zone. Occasionally a dress, but always classic and timeless. If you ever catch me pushing something trendy, assume I sold out and feel free to call me out. Unless it is a trend coming back from the past. Equestrian style, western wear, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Ginger Rogers. Those are nonnegotiable. I have been an equestrian for more than thirty years. I get a permanent pass.

Commentary is my thing, giving you an opinion whether you want it or not.